Christopher Telles

Christopher Saenz Telles, 77, of the town of Seymour, Eau Claire, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on September 16, 2017.

Chris was born on October 10, 1939, in Bent, New Mexico to David and Margaret (Saenz) Telles. He grew up in Tularosa, New Mexico and graduated from Tularosa High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. During both the Lebanon Crisis and Cuban Missile Crisis he served as a Radioman, receiving and processing radio signals and communication on classified information. On May 12, 1962, he was transferred to the Naval Reserve and honorably discharged on January 16, 1964.

He then moved to California where he met Sandra Elletson. They dated for two weeks before becoming engaged. On February 27, 1965, the two were married at Wilma Hasting Chapel in Long Beach, California, just two weeks after getting engaged. They resided in California where Chris worked for Aeronca Aerospace and Defense Company as a foreman and Unocal 76 as a unit operator. In 1993, they moved their family to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where they have resided since.

Chris enjoyed the outdoors and loved hunting, fishing, ice fishing and going for country drives. His favorite thing was spending time with his friends and family.

Chris is survived by his wife of 52, years, Sandy; sons, Chris (Linda) Telles of Carson, CA and Kirk Telles, of Seattle, WA; daughters, Monica (Ben) Frederick of Eau Claire and Maria (Brian) Rieck of Wausau, WI; grandchildren, Christopher, Eric, Ryan and Daniel Telles all of Carson, CA, Morgan and Terrah Telles of Ohio, Tyler and Grace Frederick of Eau Claire, and Sophia Rieck of Wausau; great-granddaughter, Alexa Telles of Carson, CA; siblings, Betty Serna, Jenny (Frank) Ortega, Raymond Telles and Joseph (Sylvia) Telles all of New Mexico; and aunt, Frances (Albino) Flores of Tularosa, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Telles; and sister, Regina Telles.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 21 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1500 Peterson Ave. in the town of Seymour, Eau Claire with Pastor Paul Sullivan officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, town of Seymour, with military honors.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family. Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.